Chelsea have been linked with a move for Karim Benzema(Image: Khalid Alhaj/MB Media/Getty Images)

Benzema signs, Broja decision, Diomande vision – What Chelsea must do in January transfer window

An extensive look at what Chelsea still need to do in the remaining stages of the 2024 January transfer window with the Blues yet to sign a single player this month

27 Jan 2024, 18:00 by Bobby Vincent · football.london

It is eerily quiet at Chelsea on the transfer front. In truly unprecedented circumstances under Todd Boehly, the Blues have not signed a player this month and we are in the final few days of the transfer window.

The deadline for the mid-season window is on Thursday (February 1), 24 hours after Chelsea's trip to Anfield. Mauricio Pochettino remains relaxed with any outcome – whether the Blues add to their squad before the window slams shut, or if he keeps the same players for the remainder of the season.

The Argentine – in comparison to last month where he called on the owners to make signings after Chelsea were bullied at Goodison Park – seems far more content with what he has at his disposal. That, of course, has something to do with Chelsea's recent form.

With the Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) causing fear around the Premier League in recent weeks, it has been an unusually dull transfer window in terms of incomings. The January window is usually nothing compared to what is spent in the summer, but this month a lot of clubs have been cautious with their business.

Chelsea are one of them. Even though the Blues believe they are well within the PSR guidelines, the right players are not available to them right now and they are prepared to wait until the end of the season rather than panic buying.

Victor Osimhen remains the club's top target at striker. The Nigeria international looks almost certain to call time on his Napoli career in the summer with plenty of clubs, including Chelsea, showing a keen interest in his services.

Ivan Toney is also someone on the club's radar and he has been for a long time, ever since the days of Roman Abramovich, football.london understands. The Brentford striker recently made a goal-scoring return against Nottingham Forest after completing his eight-month ban from football.

But neither Osimhen or Toney are seen as attainable in the final few days of the transfer window. Both, though, look set to leave their respective clubs at the end of the season.

A short-term option until the summer has been floated around at Stamford Bridge this month, football.london understands. Karim Benzema is the first name that comes to mind, with the French centre-forward reported to be unhappy in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ittihad.

Several reports have claimed Benzema wants to return to Europe to play the rest of his career. The 36-year-old, though, is on astronomical wages in the Saudi Pro League and the seemingly only way Chelsea could afford him under the current PSR guidelines would be with a six-month loan deal where they are not paying all of his salary.

A move for Benzema, at this stage, looks highly unlikely. Chelsea are aware of his situation. If he was to sign, though, then this would add some much-needed firepower to Chelsea's attacking line.

Despite it looking like the club are not able to bring a striker in before the window's conclusion, Chelsea are open to allowing Armando Broja to leave on a permanent basis. The Blues, though, will demand £50million for the striker's services.

Broja has scored just twice in 19 games this season following his return from a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Pochettino is a big fan of Broja but if the club can get a decent fee – and £50m would be more than decent – then they see it as the right thing, financially, to do.

Conor Gallagher looks set to stay at Chelsea beyond this month. The England international sees his deal at the club expire at the end of next season and has held pre-contract talks with the Blues but nothing has been offered to the midfielder just yet, football.london understands.

Gallagher wants to stay at Chelsea and for Pochettino, the feeling is mutual. Chelsea, though, would not be against selling the midfielder should they receive the right offer for him.

The Blues have also been looking at signing a centre-back this month but yet again, the right one does not look to be available to them. With injuries in the middle of defence and a couple whose futures are uncertain, Chelsea have sometimes been left short in defence with centre-backs having to play at full-back on occasions.

Ousmane Diomande, Marc Guehi and Jean-Clair Todibo have all been looked at extensively. Chelsea have done the most groundwork for Diomande, football.london has been told, with the Sporting CP centre-back having a £69million release clause in his contract with the Portuguese club.

Chelsea wanted to try and get Diomande for less than his clause this month but Sporting were adamant they would not sell unless it was triggered. The Blues look set to return in the summer when Sporting may be more tempted to sell because they have more time to find a replacement.

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